Axle sleeve

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure describes an axle sleeve. The axle sleeve may be insertable over a portion of an axle, such as a mid-journal surface between an inner journal and an outer journal of the axle, to protect the mid-journal surface of the axle from damage. The axle sleeve may have a main body with an expansion mechanism, such as an axial cutout arrangement or a helical cutout arrangement. The expansion mechanism may allow the axle sleeve to expand diametrically to pass over a journal and to contract to seat on a mid-journal surface. An axial cutout arrangement may include cutout(s) extending from an end of the axle sleeve parallel to the central axis of the axle sleeve. A helical cutout arrangement may include cutout(s) extending from an end of the axle sleeve along a spiral path.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to landing gear and morespecifically to axle sleeves to protect axles of aircraft landing gear.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, various types of aircraft landing gear employ axles.However, axles are typically subject to corrosion and are thus protectedby various surface treatments. However, surface treatments may becompromised such as by scratching, denting, and the like duringassembly, disassembly, and wear and tear. As such, the axle may beexposed to the environment and thus may corrode.

SUMMARY

According to various embodiments, an axle sleeve is disclosed. The axlesleeve may include a main body and an expansion member whereby adiameter of the main body may be varied.

According to various embodiments, a method of making an axle sleeve isdisclosed. The method may include forming a main body including acylinder and forming an expansion member whereby a diameter of the mainbody may be varied.

According to various embodiments, a landing gear axle is disclosed. Thelanding gear axle may include an inner journal including a section ofthe landing gear axle that receives an inner portion of a wheel, anouter journal including a section of the landing gear axle that receivesan outer portion of the wheel, and a mid journal section including anannular surface of the axle, axially between the inner journal and theouter journal and having a radius less than a radius of the innerjournal and less than a radius of the outer journal. The landing gearaxle may include an axle sleeve disposed over the mid-journal sectionand including a main body including a cylinder section, an inner edgecutout having a slit defined through the main body and extending axiallyfrom an inner edge of the main body, and an inner edge remaining portionincluding an annular section of the main body into which the inner edgecutout does not extend.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. Amore complete understanding of the present disclosure, however, may bestbe obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims whenconsidered in connection with the drawing figures, wherein like numeralsdenote like elements.

FIG. 1 depicts an axle sleeve installed on a landing gear axle inaccordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of an axle sleeve in accordance withvarious embodiments;

FIG. 3 depicts an axle sleeve having an axial cutout arrangement inaccordance with various embodiments; and

FIG. 4 depicts an axle sleeve having a helical cutout arrangement inaccordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein refers to theaccompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way ofillustration and their best mode. While these exemplary embodiments aredescribed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the inventions, it should be understood that other embodimentsmay be realized and that logical and mechanical changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions. Thus, thedetailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustrationonly and not for limitation. For example, any reference to singularincludes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than onecomponent or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Also, anyreference to attached, fixed, connected or the like may includepermanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any other possibleattachment option.

Aircraft landing gear axles are often made of high strength alloy steelsthat are susceptible to corrosion. As a result, various surfaces, suchas non-functional surfaces, are protected from corrosion via acombination of surface treatments. Surface treatments may includecadmium, zinc-nickel, primers, paints, and top coats. In variousembodiments, multiple surface treatments are combined, such as cadmiumplating, covered by primer, covered by paint. However, surfacetreatments may be compromised. For instance, wear, tear, assembly,disassembly, scratching, denting, and frictional interactions may exposethe corrosion-susceptible material, potentially resulting in the failureof the axle.

One area of particular susceptibility is between the axle journals of anaxle. Each axle journal may be hard plated, but the area between thejournals typically is not hard plated and instead has a surfacetreatment. As aircraft wheels are installed and removed from the axle,this area is susceptible to damage. Moreover, because this area ishidden after the installation of a wheel, corrosion is difficult todetect. Various strategies to address these challenges are presentedherein.

An axle sleeve may be provided to create a protective covering that fitsaround a portion of an axle such as the portion between the axlejournals of the axle called the axle mid-journal area. The axle sleevemay achieve various functions. For instance, the axle sleeve may protectthe surface treatment of the axle mid-journal area. In variousembodiments, the sleeve may also act as a sacrificial sliding wearsurface, as well as an installation alignment guide, aiding in theinstallation and removal of wheels and bearings, and enduring thescratching of the installation and removal process, sacrificiallyprotecting the mid-journal area, and preserving the integrity of theanti-corrosion surface treatment.

An axle sleeve may be a one-piece, generally tubular structure, such asa cylinder section, that has an inner diameter so that it is form fittedto the axle mid-journal section. The axle sleeve may incorporategeometric cutouts, such as slits, which allow the sleeve to expanddiametrically over the outboard axle journal, but then to snap backaround the desired axle mid-journal section. The geometric cutouts maytake a variety of different shapes or combination of shapes. Forexample, the geometric cutouts may be axial cutouts, or helical cutouts,or a combination or variation of axial and helical cutouts, or any otherdesired pattern.

Such axle sleeves may be made from a material that is softer than theaxle and/or wheel, such as a high-temperature engineered thermoplastic.This diminishes the risk that the sleeve itself damages the surface ofthe axle and/or wheel, and enhances the ability of the sleeve to protectthe axle and/or wheel. The axle sleeve may have an outer diameter sothat it does not encroach over the bearing journal diameters. Thiseffectuates a smooth assembly and disassembly of aircraft wheels,bearings, and/or brakes.

Such axle sleeves may be particularly applicable to small landing gear,axles prone to assembly/disassembly damage, large cardan pins betweenbearing lands, and/or the like. In various embodiments, axle sleeves asprovided herein are simple to install and remove and are cost effective.For instance, conventional fixed diameter axle sleeves may be metallicin nature and may be ill suited for small landing gears. Moreoverconventional axle sleeves often do not follow the contour of the axleouter diameters, in some instances trapping moisture and debris betweenthe sleeve and axle, promoting corrosion. Such axle sleeves may bepoorly suited for the load and weight constraints of many operatingenvironments.

With reference now to FIG. 1, a landing gear axle 1 in accordance withvarious embodiments may comprise an inner journal 2, a mid-journalsurface 4, and an outer journal 6. The inner journal 2 may comprise asection of a landing gear axle 1 that receives an inner portion of awheel, such as an inner wheel bearing. The outer journal 6 may comprisea section of the landing gear axle 1 that receives an outer portion of awheel, such as an outer wheel bearing. The inner journal 2 may bedisposed proximate to the origin of the axle extending from a supportingstructure 3 (as used herein, “inward” or “inside” or “inner”), such as astrut, whereas the outer journal 6 may be disposed proximate to the tip7 of the axle 1 (e.g., the outermost end of the axle away from thesupporting structure 3) (as used herein, “outward” or “outside” or“outer”). The mid-journal surface 4 may comprise an annular surface ofthe axle 1 axially between the inner journal 2 and the outer journal 6.In various embodiments, the radius of the axle 1 at the mid-journalsurface 4 is less than the radius of the axle 1 at the inner journal 2and the outer journal 6. As will be discussed further herein, an axlesleeve 10 may annularly encircle the mid-journal surface 4. A radiallyinward surface of the axle sleeve 10 may be in contact with themid-journal surface 4.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, axle sleeves 10, 10 a may havevarious configurations. An axle sleeve 10, 10 a may comprise a main body12 and an associated expansion mechanism (discussed further herein),such as an axial cutout arrangement or a helical cutout arrangement. Themain body 12 may comprise a generally cylindrical section of material(e.g., an annulus). The main body 12 may have a shape, a diameter, athickness, a length, and an inner edge chamfer 13 and outer edge chamfer14.

The shape of the main body 12 may comprise a cylinder section. Infurther embodiments, the shape may comprise a conic section, or an ogivesection, or any shape as desired.

The diameter of the main body 12 may be selected to be expandable by theexpansion mechanism over the outer journal 6, and then snap intoposition, annularly encircling the mid-journal surface 4 in contacttherewith.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the thickness of the main body12 may be selected to occupy the discontinuity created along the axle 1by the difference in radius of the mid-journal surface 4 and at leastone of the outer journal 6 and the inner journal 2. In variousembodiments, the outer journal 6 and inner journal 2 have the sameradius as does the mid-journal surface 4, so that the thickness of themain body 12 is constant along its length (except for inner edge chamfer13 and outer edge chamfer 14, if present). In further embodiments, thethickness is variable along the length of the main body 12 so as toprovide a substantially smoothed surface along the axle 1 over which toslide a wheel having a corresponding aperture to receive the axle 1.

The length of the main body 12 may be selected to occupy the entireaxial length of the mid-journal surface 4. In further embodiments, themain body 12 may have a length selected to only occupy a portion of theaxial length of the mid-journal surface 4.

The inner edge chamfer 13 of the main body 12 may comprise a portion ofthe radially inward surface of the main body 12, progressively thinnedtoward the inside edge 8 of the main body 12 (e.g., the end of the mainbody 12 configured to abut an inner journal 2 of a landing gear axle 1).The progressive thinning may comprise an arc, or a complex curvature, oran angle and a line (e.g., conic) or any profile.

The outer edge chamfer 14 of the main body 12 may comprise a portion ofthe radially inward surface of the main body 12 progressively thinnedtoward the outside edge 9 of the main body 12 (e.g., the end of the mainbody 12 configured to abut an outer journal 6 of a landing gear axle 1).The progressive thinning may comprise an arc, or a complex curvature, oran angle and a line (e.g., conic) or any profile.

In various embodiments, the axle sleeve 10, 10 a is reversible, so thatit may be installed in opposing orientations. In such embodiments, theinner edge chamfer 13 may be identical to the outer edge chamfer 14. Forinstance, the inner edge chamfer 13 and the outer edge chamfer 14 may bedefined by the same expression as a function of axial translation fromthe edge of the main body 12. For instance, the inner edge chamfer 13may be defined by an expression as a function of axial position inwardof the inside edge 8 and the outer edge chamfer 14 may be defined by anexpression as a function of axial position inward of the outside edge 9.Thus, the inner edge chamfer 13 and the outer edge chamfer may be saidto thin at the same rate.

The axle sleeve 10, 10 a may also comprise an expansion member 5, 5 a,respectively. The expansion member 5, 5 a may comprise an axial cutoutarrangement and/or a helical cutout arrangement in the main body 12,respectively. The expansion member 5, 5 a may comprise any featurewhereby the diameter of the axle sleeve 10, 10 a may be varied at leasttemporarily, to allow the axle sleeve 10, 10 a to be installed over theouter journal 6 and onto the mid-journal surface 4. FIG. 3 depicts anaxle sleeve 10 having a main body 12 and an expansion member 5comprising an axial cutout arrangement, whereas FIG. 4 depicts an axlesleeve 10 a having a main body 12 and an expansion member 5 a comprisinga helical cutout arrangement. One may appreciate that a helical cutoutarrangement and an axial cutout arrangement may be combined in an axlesleeve 10, 10 a. Moreover, further expansion members 5, 5 a may also becontemplated, such as having zigzag cutout arrangements, circlesconnected by slots cutout arrangements, and material capable of beingelastically deformed in a radial direction.

An axial cutout arrangement is depicted in FIG. 3. An axial cutoutarrangement may comprise inner edge cutout(s) 15, outer edge cutout(s)16, inner edge remaining portion(s) 37 and outer edge remainingportion(s) 38.

The inner edge cutouts 15 may comprise one or more cutouts comprisingslits defined through the main body 12 of the axle sleeve 10, 10 a andextending axially from the inside edge 8 of the main body 12 to theinner edge remaining portion 37. Similarly, the outer edge cutouts 16may comprise one or more cutouts comprising slits defined through themain body 12 of the axle sleeve 10 and extending axially from theoutside edge 9 of the main body 12 to the outer edge remaining portion38.

The inner edge remaining portion 37 may comprise an annular section ofthe main body 12 into which no inner edge cutouts 15 extend. Stateddifferently, the inner edge remaining portion 37 may comprise an annularsection of the main body 12 disposed between the outermost end of theinner edge cutouts 15 and the outside edge 9 of the main body 12. Theinner edge remaining portion 37 may comprise an annular section of themain body 12 unbroken by the inner edge cutout 15. Thus, the inner edgecutouts 15 do not extend all the way axially through the main body 12,so that the main body 12 is not bisected. In various embodiments,wherein different inner edge cutouts 15 extend a different distanceaxially through the main body 12, the inner edge remaining portion 37comprises an axial distance of the main body 12 not penetrated by agiven inner edge cutout 15.

The outer edge remaining portion 38 may comprise an annular section ofthe main body 12 into which no outer edge cutouts 16 extend. Stateddifferently, the outer edge remaining portion 38 may comprise an annularsection of the main body 12 disposed between the innermost end of theouter edge cutouts 16 and the inside edge 8 of the main body 12. Theouter edge remaining portion 38 may comprise an annular section of themain body 12 unbroken by the outer edge cutout 16. Thus, the outer edgecutouts 16 do not extend all the way axially through the main body 12,so that the main body 12 is not bisected. In various embodiments,wherein different outer edge cutouts 16 extend a different distanceaxially through the main body 12, the outer edge remaining portion 38comprises an axial distance of the main body 12 not penetrated by agiven outer edge cutout 16.

In various embodiments, an axle sleeve 10 may have three inner edgecutouts 15. In further embodiments, the axle sleeve 10 may have twoinner edge cutouts 15, or four inner edge cutouts 15 or any number ofinner edge cutouts 15. Similarly, an axle sleeve 10 may have three outeredge cutouts 16. In further embodiments, the axle sleeve 10 may have twoouter edge cutouts 16, or four outer edge cutouts 16 or any number ofouter edge cutouts 16. An axle sleeve 10 may have the same number ofinner edge cutouts 15 as outer edge cutouts 16, or may have a differingnumber.

Each inner edge cutout 15 and each outer edge cutout 16 may have ashape. For instance, the inner edge cutout 15 and/or outer edge cutout16 may comprise a uniform slit, or may comprise a oval slit, or maycomprise a slit terminated in a circle, or may comprise a slit havingthicker and/or thinner portions.

Each inner edge cutout 15 and each outer edge cutout 16 may have anorientation. For instance, an inner edge cutout 15 and/or outer edgecutout 16 may extend axially through a portion of the main body 12. Invarious embodiments, an inner edge cutout 15 and/or outer edge cutout 16may extend through a portion of the main body 12 at an angle relative toa central axis 45 of the main body 12, or may comprise curves.Similarly, an inner edge cutout 15 and/or outer edge cutout 16 may bespaced evenly about the circumference of the main body 12 or may bespaced unevenly, such as to accommodate bosses, grooves, keying, and/orother features on the underlying axle. The inner edge cutouts 15 mayhave any number, shape, and orientation.

An inner edge cutout 15 may comprise an inner edge slit portion 17 andan inner edge triangular portion 18. For instance, the inner edge slitportion 17 may comprise an axially extending slit of constant dimension.The inner edge slit portion 17 may extend outward through a portion ofthe main body 12 and may terminate at an inner edge triangular portion18. An inner edge triangular portion 18 may comprise an axiallyextending slit of non-constant dimension. For instance, the sides of theinner edge triangular portion 18 may narrow.

An inner edge cutout 15 may have an inner edge slit portion 17 with aninner edge slit portion first side 19 and an inner edge slit portionsecond side 20. The inner edge slit portion first side 19 and the inneredge slit portion second side 20 may each comprise a slit radiallypenetrating the main body 12 and axially extending from the inside edge8 of the main body 12 to a terminus, such as an inner edge triangularportion 18. The inner edge slit portion first side 19 and inner edgeslit portion second side 20 may comprise opposite parallel sides of theinner edge slit portion 17. The inner edge triangular portion 18 maycomprise an inner edge triangular portion first angled side 21 and aninner edge triangular portion second angled side 23. The inner edgetriangular portion first angled side 21 may join the inner edge slitportion first side 19 at its terminus and the inner edge triangularportion second angled side 23 may join the inner edge slit portionsecond side 20 at its terminus. The inner edge triangular portion firstangled side 21 may have an angle relative to a radially extending planeradially extending from the central axis 45 of the main body 12 in whichthe inner edge slit portion first side 19 lies, so that an angle may bemeasured between the inner edge triangular portion first angled side 21and the inner edge slit portion first side 19. Similarly, the inner edgetriangular portion second angled side 23 may have an angle relative aradially extending plane radially extending from the central axis 45 ofthe main body 12 in which the inner edge slit portion second side 20lies, so that an angle may be measured between the outer edge triangularportion second angled side 23 and the inner edge slit portion secondside 20. These sides, inner edge triangular portion first angled side 21and inner edge triangular portion second angled side 23, may terminateat an inner edge triangular portion radiused tip 22. The inner edgetriangular portion radiused tip 22 may comprise an arc segment joininginner edge triangular portion first angled side 21 and inner edgetriangular portion second angled side 23.

An outer edge cutout 16 may comprise an outer edge slit portion 34 andan outer edge triangular portion 35. For instance, the outer edge slitportion 34 may comprise an axially extending slit of constant dimension.The outer edge slit portion 34 may extend outward through a portion ofthe main body 12 and may terminate at an outer edge triangular portion35. An outer edge triangular portion 35 may comprise an axiallyextending slit of non-constant dimension. For instance, the sides of theouter edge triangular portion 35 may narrow.

An outer edge cutout 16 may have an outer edge slit portion 34 with anouter edge slit portion first side 24 and an outer edge slit portionsecond side 25. The outer edge slit portion first side 24 and the outeredge slit portion second side 25 may each comprise a slit radiallypenetrating the main body 12 and axially extending from the outside edge9 of the main body 12 to a terminus, such as an outer edge triangularportion 35. The outer edge slit portion first side 24 and the outer edgeslit portion second side 25 may comprise opposite parallel sides of theouter edge slit portion 34. The outer edge triangular portion 35 maycomprise an outer edge triangular portion first angled side 26 and anouter edge triangular portion second angled side 28. The outer edgetriangular portion first angled side 26 may join the outer edge slitportion first side 24 at its terminus and the outer edge triangularportion second angled side 28 may join the outer edge slit portionsecond side 25 at its terminus. The outer edge triangular portion firstangled side 26 may have an angle relative to the central axis 45 of themain body 12, so that an angle may be measured between the outer edgetriangular portion first angled side 26 and the outer edge slit portionfirst side 24. Similarly, the outer edge triangular portion secondangled side 28 may have an angle relative to the central axis 45 of themain body 12, so that an angle may be measured between the outer edgetriangular portion second angled side 28 and the outer edge slit portionsecond side 25. Outer edge triangular portion first angled side 26 andouter edge triangular portion second angled side 28 may terminate at anouter edge triangular portion radiused tip 27. The outer edge triangularportion radiused tip 27 may comprise an arc segment joining outer edgetriangular portion first angled side 26 and outer edge triangularportion second angled side 28.

Finally, and with reference to FIG. 4, a helical cutout arrangement ofthe expansion member 5 a is depicted. A helical cutout arrangement maycomprise an inner helical cutout 30, an outer helical cutout 31, aninner edge remaining portion 32 and an outer edge remaining portion 33.

The inner helical cutout(s) 30 may comprise slit(s) defined through themain body 12 of the axle sleeve 10 a and extending helically from theinside edge 8 of the main body 12 to the inner edge remaining portion32. Similarly, the outer helical cutout(s) 31 may comprise slit(s)defined through the main body 12 of the axle sleeve 10 a and extendinghelically from the outside edge 9 of the main body 12 to the outer edgeremaining portion 33.

The inner edge remaining portion 32 may comprise an annular section ofthe main body 12 into which no inner helical cutouts 30 extend. Stateddifferently, the inner edge remaining portion 32 may comprise an annularsection of the main body 12 disposed between the outermost end of theinner helical cutouts 30 and the outside edge 9 of the main body 12. Theinner edge remaining portion 32 may comprise an annular section of themain body 12 unbroken by inner helical cutouts 30. Thus, the innerhelical cutouts 30 do not extend all the way axially through the mainbody 12, so that the main body 12 is not bisected. In variousembodiments, wherein different inner helical cutouts 30 extend adifferent distance axially through the main body 12, the inner edgeremaining portion 32 comprises an axial distance of the main body 12 notpenetrated by a given inner helical cutouts 30.

The outer edge remaining portion 33 may comprise an annular section ofthe main body 12 into which no outer helical cutouts 31 extend. Stateddifferently, the outer edge remaining portion 33 may comprise an annularsection of the main body 12 disposed between the innermost end of theouter helical cutouts 31 and the inside edge 8 of the main body 12. Theinner edge remaining portion 32 may comprise an annular section of themain body 12 unbroken by inner helical cutouts 30. Thus, the outerhelical cutouts 31 do not extend all the way axially through the mainbody 12, so that the main body 12 is not bisected. In variousembodiments, wherein different outer helical cutouts 31 extend adifferent distance axially through the main body 12, the outer edgeremaining portion 33 comprises an axial distance of the main body 12 notpenetrated by a given outer helical cutouts 31.

In various embodiments, an axle sleeve 10 a may have three inner helicalcutouts 30. In further embodiments, the axle sleeve 10 a may have twoinner helical cutouts 30, or four inner helical cutouts 30 or any numberof inner helical cutouts 30. Similarly, an axle sleeve 10 a may havethree outer helical cutouts 31. In further embodiments, the axle sleeve10 a may have two outer helical cutouts 31, or four outer helicalcutouts 31 or any number of outer helical cutouts 31. An axle sleeve 10a may have the same number of inner helical cutouts 30 as outer helicalcutout 31, or may have a differing number.

Each inner helical cutout 30 and each outer helical cutout 31 may have ashape. For instance, the inner helical cutout 30 and/or outer helicalcutout 31 may each comprise a uniform slit, or may comprise a oval slit,or may comprise a slit terminated in a circle, or may comprise a slithaving thicker and/or thinner portions.

Each inner helical cutout 30 and each outer helical cutout 31 may havean orientation. For instance, an inner helical cutouts 30 and/or outerhelical cutout 31 may each extend helically through a portion of themain body 12. In various embodiments, an inner helical cutouts 30 and/orouter helical cutout 31 may extend through a portion of the main body 12at a constant spiral angle relative to the central axis 45 of the axlesleeve 10 a. Thus, an inner helical cutout 30 may extend through aportion of the main body 12 at a first spiral angle and an outer helicalcutout 31 may extend through a portion of the main body 12 at a secondspiral angle. The first spiral angle may be a constant spiral angle, andthe second spiral angle may be a constant spiral angle, however thefirst spiral angle and the second spiral angle may be different, yetconstant spiral angles. In various embodiments, the inner helical cutout30 and/or outer helical cutout 31 may comprise a non-constant spiralangle, such as a smoothly or discontinuously varying spiral angle.Similarly, the inner helical cutouts 30 and/or outer helical cutout 31may be spaced evenly about the circumference of the main body 12 or maybe spaced unevenly, such as to accommodate bosses, grooves, keying,and/or other features on the underlying axle.

The inner helical cutouts 30 and/or outer helical cutout 31 may alsohave a handedness. For instance, inner helical cutout 30 and/or outerhelical cutout 31 may be a clockwise helix when viewed along the centralaxis 45 of the axle sleeve 10 a from the outside edge 9 (e.g., the endclosest to the outer journal 6 (FIG. 1) of the axle 1 (FIG. 1) wheninstalled). In further embodiments, the inner helical cutouts 30 and/orouter helical cutout 31 may be a counterclockwise helix, and or may bedissimilar helixes, such as having different handedness.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have beendescribed herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, theconnecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein areintended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physicalcouplings between the various elements. It should be noted that manyalternative or additional functional relationships or physicalconnections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits,advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause anybenefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced arenot to be construed as critical, required, or essential features orelements of the inventions. The scope of the inventions is accordinglyto be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in whichreference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one andonly one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.”Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, or C” is usedin the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to meanthat A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present inan embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that anycombination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a singleembodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C.Different cross-hatching is used throughout the figures to denotedifferent parts but not necessarily to denote the same or differentmaterials.

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the detaileddescription herein, references to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “anexample embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described mayinclude a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but everyembodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature,structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature,structure, or characteristic is described in connection with anembodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of oneskilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristicin connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitlydescribed. After reading the description, it will be apparent to oneskilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure inalternative embodiments.

Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the presentdisclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless ofwhether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited inthe claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under theprovisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f), unless the element is expressly recitedusing the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “comprises,”“comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover anon-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, orapparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only thoseelements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherentto such process, method, article, or apparatus.

What is claimed is:
 1. An axle sleeve comprising: a main body; and anexpansion member whereby a diameter of the main body may be varied;wherein the expansion member comprises an axial cutout arrangementcomprising: an inner edge cutout comprising a slit defined through themain body and extending axially from an inner edge of the main body; anouter edge cutout comprising a slit defined through the main body andextending axially from an outer edge of the main body; an inner edgeremaining portion comprising an annular section of the main bodyunbroken by the inner edge cutout; and an outer edge remaining portioncomprising an annular section of the main body unbroken by the outeredge cutout.
 2. The axle sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the mainbody comprises a cylinder section.
 3. The axle sleeve according to claim2, wherein the main body comprises: an inner chamfer comprising aportion of a radially innermost face of the main body progressivelythinned toward an inner edge of the axle sleeve and configured to abutan inner journal of a landing gear axle.
 4. The axle sleeve according toclaim 3, wherein the main body further comprises: an outer chamfercomprising a portion of the radially innermost face of the main bodyprogressively thinned toward an outer edge of the axle sleeve andconfigured to abut an outer journal of the landing gear axle, andwherein the outer chamfer and the inner chamfer thin at a same rate. 5.The axle sleeve according to claim 1, comprising three inner edgecutouts.
 6. The axle sleeve according to claim 5, wherein each inneredge cutout and each outer edge cutout each extends axially through aportion of the main body parallel to a central axis of the main body. 7.The axle sleeve according to claim 1, comprising three outer edgecutouts.
 8. The axle sleeve according to claim 1, comprising three inneredge cutouts and three outer edge cutouts.
 9. The axle sleeve accordingto claim 1, wherein each inner edge cutout comprises: an inner edge slitportion comprising: an inner edge slit portion first side; and an inneredge slit portion second side, wherein the inner edge slit portion firstside and the inner edge slit portion second side comprise oppositeparallel sides of a slit of constant dimension extending axially throughthe main body; and an inner edge triangular portion comprising: an inneredge triangular portion first angled side joining the inner edge slitportion first side at a terminus of the inner edge slit portion firstside; and an inner edge triangular portion second angled side joiningthe inner edge slit portion second side at a terminus of the inner edgeslit portion second side, wherein the inner edge triangular portionfirst angled side comprises an angle relative to a radially extendingplane radially extending from the central axis of the main body and inwhich the inner edge slit portion first side lies, wherein the inneredge triangular portion second angled side comprises an angle relativeto a radially extending plane radially extending from the central axisof the main body and in which the inner edge slit portion second sidelies; and an inner edge triangular portion radiused tip comprising anarc segment joining the inner edge triangular portion first angled sideand the inner edge triangular portion second angled side.
 10. A landinggear axle comprising: an inner journal comprising a section of thelanding gear axle that is configured to receive an inner portion of awheel; an outer journal comprising a section of the landing gear axlethat is configured to receive an outer portion of the wheel; amid-journal section comprising an annular surface of the landing gearaxle, axially between the inner journal and the outer journal and havinga radius less than a radius of the inner journal and less than a radiusof the outer journal; and an axle sleeve disposed over the mid-journalsection, comprising: a main body comprising a cylinder section; an inneredge cutout comprising a slit defined through the main body andextending axially from an inner edge of the main body; and an inner edgeremaining portion comprising an annular section of the main body intowhich the inner edge cutout does not extend.
 11. The landing gear axleaccording to claim 10, the axle sleeve further comprising: an outer edgecutout comprising a slit defined through the main body and extendingaxially from an outer edge of the main body; and an outer edge remainingportion comprising an annular section of the main body into which theouter edge cutout does not extend.
 12. The landing gear axle accordingto claim 11, wherein the inner edge cutout and the outer edge cutouteach extends axially through a portion of the main body parallel to acentral axis of the main body.
 13. The axle sleeve according to claim12, wherein the main body further comprises: an inner chamfer comprisinga portion of a radially innermost face of the main body progressivelythinned toward the inner edge of the axle sleeve.
 14. The axle sleeveaccording to claim 13, wherein the main body further comprises: an outerchamfer comprising a portion of the radially innermost face of the mainbody progressively thinned toward the outer edge of the axle sleeve, andwherein the outer chamfer and the inner chamfer thin at a same rate. 15.An axle sleeve comprising: a main body; and an expansion member wherebya diameter of the main body may be varied, wherein the expansion membercomprises a helical cutout arrangement comprising: an inner helicalcutout comprising a slit defined through the main body and extendinghelically from an inner edge of the main body; an outer helical cutoutcomprising a slit defined through the main body and extending helicallyfrom an outer edge of the main body; an inner edge remaining portioncomprising an annular section of the main body unbroken by the innerhelical cutout; and an outer edge remaining portion comprising anannular section of the main body unbroken by the outer helical cutout.16. The axle sleeve according to claim 15, wherein the inner helicalcutout extends at a first spiral angle relative to the axle sleeve, andwherein the outer helical cutout extends at a second spiral anglerelative to the axle sleeve.